Characteristics of friendships
Understanding Friendships
- Friendships, or cairdeas in Irish, can be seen as a mutual bond between two or more individuals.
- This bond generally stems from respect, affection and shared interests.
- Friendships are often characterised by voluntary interaction and two-way communication.
Key Attributes
- Trust: The foundation of any friendship, muinín in Irish, is crucial. Friends must feel secure in the knowledge that they can share personal information without being betrayed.
- Honesty: Friends are truthful with each other, even when the truth may be hard to hear.
- Mutual respect and understanding: Friends respect each other's individuality and appreciate their differences.
- Communication: Effective dialogue, or cumarsáid in Irish, allows friends to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
- Companionship: Spending time together creates a sense of camaraderie and shared history.
- Shared Interests: Common hobbies or interests can initiate friendships and strengthen the bond over time.
The Role of Friendship
- Friendships contribute significantly to an individual's social and emotional development.
- They provide a support system during stressful times.
- Friendships can inspire personal growth, helping individuals build empathy, problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence.
- They offer a space for joy, fun, and making memories.
Transition in Friendships
- It's normal for friendships to evolve and change over time. Circumstances such as geographical separation or personal changes can influence this.
- Sometimes, friendships can end. This can be a result of irreconcilable differences, feeling misunderstood, or a betrayal of trust.
- Understanding and acceptance of such transitions is part of growing up and navigating social interactions.
Use these points to understand and analyse different fictional and real-life friendships, remembering to use the Irish terms where appropriate.